Episode 51: Sanburk #2
The residence of the Crown Princess of Topaz Palace.
The office, which was always filled with the soft white noise of activity, was now enveloped in complete silence.
Even Rudella’s secretary, who should have been bustling about handling tasks, remained idle.
Because she, Rudella, had shut herself in her room and done nothing.
“…My lady, you haven’t eaten anything.”
Her secretary, Vera, cautiously spoke. She couldn’t understand why Rudella had fallen apart like this, but she wasn’t particularly surprised.
After all, Vera had noticed something was strange about Rudella for quite some time.
Having served her even before she came to Topaz Palace, Vera’s intuition told her there was no need to question the reason.
“I don’t want to think about anything right now. Just leave me alone.”
Rudella lay on her bed with her eyes closed, speaking softly. Her voice lacked any strength. She hadn’t left her chambers even once since that day.
“Have you heard the news?”
“…….”
Rudella, eyes closed, gave no response. It was clear she didn’t know. Vera cautiously continued.
“A war has broken out with Sanburk.”
“…What?”
Rudella’s tightly shut eyes flew open. She sat up in a rush, staring directly at Vera.
“How? His Majesty assured me there would be no war…”
“Sanburk, after experiencing internal conflict, has declared war. The reason is…”
When Vera explained the cause of the war in detail, Rudella’s face turned pale as a sheet.
‘Yohan…!’
Yohan was a highly skilled special class Mage of the Second Division. Using him as justification, it was clear that Fedelian wouldn’t let things slide.
“What’s the current situation?”
“They are starting preparations today and plan to depart in two days. They intend to end it quickly by deploying their core forces.”
“…….”
She wanted to find a way to help Yohan, but the operation was moving far too quickly. Not that the Crown Princess had any authority to intervene in war matters…
‘Surely… this won’t be the last time, right?’
Rudella clenched her hands tightly. Her pale fingertips trembled faintly.
It was a conclusion that could only be described as the worst-case scenario. If she couldn’t meet Yohan again, especially after parting on such terms… she would truly fall apart.
‘But… there’s nothing I can do.’
She hung her head low and shut her eyes tightly. Her hands gripped even harder. She wanted to go see him right away, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
His cold gaze, which had drawn a clear line between them, remained vividly in her memory.
She was already hated enough. If she went to see him now, so soon, he might end up hating her even more.
She could muster the courage to apologize for what had happened, but… Rudella was afraid. She couldn’t bear to see that kind of look from the first person she had ever truly cared about.
‘Why did I…’
She resented her past self. Why had she been so greedy? Even though she had thought it was enough just to express her feelings, why did she…
“Sigh…”
Rudella clutched her forehead and let out a deep sigh. Vera, who had been quietly observing from the side, asked,
“…What should I do about the work?”
To an outsider, it might seem cold, but this level of distance was just right between them. Rudella didn’t want Vera getting any closer, after all.
“I… I can’t think about it right now. I can’t focus on work at all.”
“Then I’ll handle the simpler documents for now.”
“…Please do.”
Rudella abandoned her increasingly complicated thoughts and closed her eyes once more.
If she didn’t go to see him now, she might regret it for the rest of her life…
But Rudella, consumed by her own greed and having destroyed their relationship, found it too difficult to summon the courage once again.
***
Time passed quickly, and two days went by.
On the day of the scheduled departure, the faces of the soldiers standing at the border were frozen, as cold as the winter air.
Even though they were part of the elite knights of the Empire, the Bureau, it was understandable for them to feel fear. After all, even the strongest soldiers could not completely suppress their dread of war.
“…So the day has finally come.” Francia said with a tense expression. Her face was a mixture of emotions—fear, anxiety, and determination.
“We’re getting closer to the border. Once we cross it, the battle will begin, won’t it?”
Her voice was laden with worry, but Yohan, holding the reins of his horse, smiled lightly.
“As members of the Second Division, we won’t be part of the battle. We’ll stay at the rearmost position.”
There really wasn’t much to worry about. The First Division, which had decisively led the southern front to victory in the past, was a group of highly experienced and skilled warriors.
This was a war they simply could not lose.
“Set out!”
At that moment, the voice of Commander Fedelian rang out. He had decided to join the First Division at the vanguard and was now stationed far ahead.
Yohan could guess why Fedelian had chosen to take the front lines. It was likely due to pressure from the Emperor. After all, this war was caused by his actions.
Normally, Fedelian would have left the battlefield to the War Demon and to the First Division, only appearing at the last moment to claim the glory.
But with the War Demon absent, he would have to endure considerable hardship.
Clatter. Clatter.
The horses began to move. The long procession stretched like a flowing river. Flags adorned with the lion emblem fluttered in the wind, and the clinking of armor and helmets echoed ominously with every step forward.
It was a majestic sight, but at the same time, it cast a grim shadow.
The combined forces of knights from various territories, the Bureau members, and soldiers formed an impressive number.
“…I’m so nervous.” Francia muttered, trying to steady her pounding heart with deep breaths amidst the heavy atmosphere.
She glanced at Yohan, who showed no signs of nervousness. If anything, he seemed composed—calm and confident.
That air of composure was reassuring, and it was part of what had drawn her to him in the first place. No matter how many times she saw him, Yohan always felt new to her.
It wasn’t just his good looks or his striking appearance. Yohan exuded an indescribable aura and refinement that couldn’t be hidden.
“We’re crossing the border!”
The Imperial army continued its march. At night, they set up makeshift camps for rest, and when the sun rose, they resumed their journey.
Eventually, they entered the territory of Sanburk. The roads were unpaved, and the continuous rough mountain paths brought considerable fatigue to the soldiers.
Ambushed by the Sanburk forces, a battle broke out. However, the Bureau’s First Division, positioned at the forefront, achieved a decisive victory. There were hardly any injuries among their troops.
This success was largely due to the efforts of Grand Duke Lenokhonen, the current commander of the Bureau’s First Division.
Having already subjugated barbarians in the south with overwhelming prowess, it was no surprise that he would easily handle the Sanburk army.
After days of marching and skirmishes, the army finally rested under the setting sun.
“Is your back feeling alright?” Yohan asked.
Under the soft glow of moonlight, he sat next to Francia, holding a ration pack.
“It’s fine for now. Why do you ask?”
“You seemed uncomfortable walking earlier.”
“Ah… It’s probably from riding the horse for so long,” Francia said with a bashful smile.
Yohan let out a faint smile in response, his shoulders, which had seemed heavy at the start, now appearing more relaxed.
“It’s good to see you’ve loosened up,” he said, gently brushing a strand of her hair aside.
“Hmm, it’s because you’re by my side.” Francia replied with a playful grin.
“Should I feel flustered by that?”
“Asking that question makes it pointless, doesn’t it?” Francia teased, lightly tapping Yohan’s shoulder.
“And you? Are you not tired?”
“I’m fine. I’ve always been diligent about training my stamina.” Yohan replied confidently.
Francia’s gaze lowered to his body. His solid build was evident, even through his clothes. It was hard to believe he was a mage with such a well-toned physique.
“Your gaze feels rather… mischievous.”
“Miachievous, you say?”
“Are you perhaps thinking of spending the night with me, even in a situation like this?”
“…Of course not!” Francia’s face flushed red as she quickly turned her head away. She couldn’t deny that the thought had crossed her mind…
“Looks like I hit the mark.” Yohan teased.
“Cough, cough. I’d never think of such a thing in this setting.” Francia replied, clearing her throat.
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, that’s a shame.” Yohan said, leaning in closer and brushing his fingertips playfully against her waist before resting his forehead gently against hers.
“Am I the only one who thought that way?”
“Ha…!”
At Yohan’s sudden confession of affection, Francia gasped, her heart skipping a beat.
“Your heartbeat seems unusually loud. Is it just my imagination?”
“…….”
She didn’t respond, her face flushed as she stared at the ground. Finding her reaction endearing, Yohan chuckled softly.
“You’re as expressive as ever.”
“Ah! Were you teasing me again?”
“Because you’re so adorable, Francia.”
“Really…”
Francia let out a small laugh and relaxed her body, naturally leaning into Yohan’s embrace. She took a deep breath.
“Huuh…”
Breathing in his scent, she shuddered slightly before melting into his arms. It was something she did to calm her nerves.
“…When do you think we can go back?”
“Not sure. But I’d guess about a week.”
“I can’t wait to return.”
“Is it that hard to endure?”
“Wh-what…! That’s not what I meant!”
Yohan chuckled lightly and pulled her closer as she flustered.
“And what exactly do you mean?”
“…Are you going to pretend you don’t know?”
“I really don’t know.”
As Yohan smirked and tilted his head, Francia blushed even harder and tried to hide her reddened ears with her hair.
“I don’t know either.”
“You seem to know, though.”
“Ah, seriously…!”
Francia puffed her cheeks, her gaze sharpening as she looked up at him. It was a pleading look, as though asking him to let her win this once. Seeing it, Yohan let out a faint smile.
“I was joking.”
“You better watch yourself next time.”
“Should I?”
“You should.”
Francia pouted slightly and blinking her crimson eyes. Yohan gave her hair a light stroke before standing up.
“We’ve talked enough. It’s late; I should head back.”
“Ah… already…?”
She slumped dejectedly and grabbed his sleeve. She knew she had to let him go, but she didn’t want to.
Crackle, crackle.
The campfire burned quietly in the background.
“I’ll come straight to you as soon as I wake up tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Of course. I want to see you.”
Yohan smiled warmly and leaned down to kiss her lightly. Francia’s grip on his sleeve tightened, her flushed face leaning closer to him. She melted further into his embrace as their kiss deepened.
“Mmm…”
Her fingers crumpled his sleeve. Their lips entwined passionately, their breaths mingling. It was hard to tell if the heat they felt was from the fire or their kiss.
“…That’s enough.”
“Ah…”
When Yohan pulled away, a thin, translucent thread stretched between them. Their faces, tinged in crimson, mirrored each other’s flustered yet satisfied expressions.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Yes…”
Francia, dazed, waved faintly as Yohan smiled and walked back to his tent.
The night was silent, with most soldiers fast asleep from the exhausting march.
Crackle, crackle.
The sound of the campfire echoed softly.
As Yohan headed to his tent, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Someone was there.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze landing on long red hair and green eyes.
“…Fancy meeting you here.”
It was Violet Ratalen.
She offered him a faint smile and tilted her head slightly, as if she had been waiting for a while.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Yohan asked calmly. A subtle emotion flickered in her green eyes.
“I was hoping we could talk. Even if just briefly…”